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Visiting a falcon hospital,
enjoying a wildlife safari,
kayaking through mangroves,
riding an Arabian horse through the
desert; this is Abu Dhabi, but not as
you know it.
Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven
states that comprise the United Arab
Emirates, and while it is better known
for its skyscrapers, mega malls and
theme parks, curious travellers can
unearth a gentler side. They just need
to dig a little.
Falcon Hospital – birds of a
feather
There are two surprising things about
falcons in the UAE, apart from the
fact that they enjoy regular pedicures.
The first is that these pampered pets
are allowed to travel in the cabins of
the national carrier, Etihad Airways.
The second is that they have their own
passports.
I watch as Dr Margit Muller,
director of the Abu Dhabi Falcon
Hospital, flips through the passport
of a young Saker falcon. “Passports
were introduced to monitor the
movements of birds protected under
the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species,” she explains.
The hospital, which treats more
than 7000 falcons each year, has an
intensive care unit, ophthalmology
department and a digital endoscopy
unit where vets perform anything from
delicate surgery to pedicures. “We offer
tours as a way of encouraging visitors
to gain a cultural understanding of our
falcons, says Muller.
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital runs
two-hour tours, Sunday to Thursday at
10am and 2pm. www.falconhospital.
com
Sir Bani Yas Island – sun,
surf and safari
There are certain things you don’t
expect to find on an island in the
Middle East; a mob of emus would
be one. The remains of a 6th-century
Christian monastery would be another.
So too would a cackle of hyenas, a
tower of giraffes or a 350-strong herd
of Arabian oryx.
Originally home to the Bani Yas
tribe, the island was the personal
retreat of the late ruler and founder
of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan
Al Nahyan. As part of the sheikh’s
ambitious plan to create a habitat for
Arabia’s endangered species he turned
half the island into the 87.5squ.km
Arabian Wildlife Park.
On a wildlife safari I see some of
the 10,000 animals, including the
endangered Arabian oryx, Arabian
cheetah, rock hyrax and mountain
and sand gazelles. Guests can enjoy
archaeological tours, guided game
walks, kayaking, snorkelling or horse
riding.
Stay at Desert Islands Resort and
Spa, Al Sahel Villas and Al Yamm
Villas.
[@] www.desertislands.
anantara.com
Meander through the
mangroves
Stretching for 8km behind the coastal
shoreline, Eastern Mangrove Lagoon
is an unexpected oasis of calm. Home
to more than 300 species of animals
including flamingos, foxes, dolphins,
dugongs, turtles and terns, the
mangrove forest is one of five reserves
earmarked for national park status by
2030.
Our tour leads us through narrow,
vein-like tributaries where high
tides mean we can almost brush the
mangroves on either side. From the
UAE: ABU DHABI
Kerry van der Jagt
sidesteps the glitz and
glamour of Abu Dhabi
and finds herself in an
oasis of calm.
Abu Dhabi –
quietly does it
Camels at Qasr Al Sarab.
PHOTOCOURTESYANANTARA
54 GetUp&Go